Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Seeks New Home in Virginia Beach

The hall of fame's displays may move from Town Center to the city's convention and sports centers.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is looking for a new home after its lease at Virginia Beach's Town Center expires. The hall of fame's executive director, former sportscaster Bruce Rader, is in talks with city officials to relocate the displays to the convention and sports centers at the Oceanfront, as well as one of the city-owned sports venues in the Princess Anne area. This comes as the hall of fame is also establishing a stronger presence in the Richmond area through a partnership with the Henrico Sports & Events Center.

Why it matters

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has been a fixture in Hampton Roads for decades, showcasing the state's sports history and heritage. Finding a new, more prominent location in Virginia Beach will help ensure the hall of fame's continued visibility and accessibility, especially for young athletes who can be inspired by the displays.

The details

The hall of fame's exhibits have been housed in the lobbies of various Town Center office buildings for nearly 10 years, after the museum in Portsmouth closed in 2017 due to dwindling funds. Now, with the lease expiring, Rader is working to relocate the displays to venues with more foot traffic, such as the city's convention and sports centers. The hall of fame is also strengthening its presence in the Richmond area through a partnership with the Henrico Sports & Events Center, which will host the 2024 and 2026 induction ceremonies.

  • The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame museum closed in 2017.
  • The hall of fame's displays have been featured in Town Center office buildings for nearly 10 years.
  • The hall of fame's lease in Town Center is expiring and the displays will need to be moved.
  • The 2024 and 2026 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held at the Henrico Sports & Events Center near Richmond.

The players

Bruce Rader

The new executive director of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, who is working to relocate the displays to more prominent locations in Virginia Beach.

Stacy Cummings

A Virginia Beach City Council member who brought up the possibility of moving the hall of fame's collection to the city's convention and sports centers.

Patrick Duhaney

The Virginia Beach City Manager, who said the city will look into options for incorporating the hall of fame's displays into its facilities.

Henrico Sports & Events Center

A facility in the Richmond area that is partnering with the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame to host the induction ceremonies and house a permanent exhibit of hall of fame inductees with connections to central Virginia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I want there to be as many eyes on these displays as possible.”

— Bruce Rader, Executive Director, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (pilotonline.com)

“Henrico has really made a major effort to be involved in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.”

— Bruce Rader, Executive Director, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (pilotonline.com)

“The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame needs to have a presence in Hampton Roads.”

— Bruce Rader, Executive Director, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (pilotonline.com)

What’s next

City officials in Virginia Beach are exploring options to incorporate the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame's displays into the city's convention and sports centers, providing a more prominent and accessible location for the exhibits.

The takeaway

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame's transition to a new home in Virginia Beach represents an opportunity to elevate the visibility and impact of the state's sports heritage, inspiring the next generation of athletes while maintaining a strong presence in the Hampton Roads region.